She walked out to find Carmen on her cell phone.

“Ok yeah jenny—great thanks. You really are amazing. Ok Shane is here I gotta go.” Carmen hung up the phone and looked pleadingly at Shane. “How’d it go?”

“The interview? It went fine I think. I’m actually more worried about this home visit. I think I’m going to have to go apartment hunting or something.” Shane said.

“Don’t worry about it. I already talked to Max and Jenny. Jenny is going to stay with Bette and Tina until she can find a house. When she does, Max is going to move in with her and help with the rent. Until then, we can get Jenny’s old room ready for Shay. Max and some of his friends are already helping Jenny move her stuff out.”

They got in the car and Shane let her head fall into her hands.

“That’s great Carmen but how am I supposed to pay the rent on that house? Plus I can’t just put Jenny and Max out on the street like that.”

“You aren’t putting them out on the street. Jenny could afford a mansion on the water if she wanted, and Max is still going to pay rent until he can move in with Jenny. And when they move out, well, I figure we can turn the guest house into my studio and between the two of us I think we can handle the rent.”

“Car, what are you talking about? You mean you’re going to help pay the rent? I can’t let you do that. I’m going to have a seven year old boy running around the house—me. Not you. I know we are living together now but I’m not going to make you put up with that.”

“No Shane. Just stop. You aren’t making me put up with anything. I want to. I want to help you pay the rent and I want to help you chase after a seven year old boy. You aren’t making me do anything. I love you and I’m not running away just because things are changing. Please don’t make me move out and away from you!”

Shane just sighed and looked into those big brown eyes. She loved Carmen so much—she didn’t want to make her deal with all of this, but she was so passionate about helping that Shane couldn’t help but smile.

“I love you too, Carmen. There is no one else I’d rather split the rent with.” Shane just smirked and looked over at Carmen, who laughed and gave her a punch in the arm.